Evony’s newest siege general, Shapur I, is online now. As a general released alongside the holiday, he has a high probability of being obtained during the 2025 Thanksgiving events. This guide will introduce all of this general’s attributes, list as many acquisition methods as possible, compare his buffs with those of other generals of the same type recently, and provide reference general combinations and skill book pairings.
The Story of Shapur I
Shapur I, the second ruler of the Sassanian Empire, inherited a realm forged in fire. With Ardashir I’s overthrow of Parthia complete, the weight of defending the newborn empire fell onto Shapur. While the Kushans and Saka threatened in the east, Rome prepared to strike back in the west.
To keep Rome in check, Shapur first crushed the eastern kingdoms, installing his own sons as client kings. But Rome launched a massive counteroffensive, seizing frontier fortresses. Shapur struck back, annihilating the Romans at Misiche, where Emperor Gordian III fell, forcing his successor Philip to pay tribute. A decade of uneasy peace followed.
When plague ravaged Rome, Shapur seized Armenia and used Rome’s interference as a pretext for war. His armies stormed across the frontier, capturing thirty-seven strongholds, destroying sixty thousand Roman troops at Barbalissos, and sacking Antioch. Seven years later, he achieved the unthinkable by capturing Emperor Valerian alive at Edessa. Shapur I became the only king in history to defeat three Roman emperors in a single lifetime.
Yet his legacy was more than conquest. Roman engineers in captivity built the famed Band-e Kaisar, the empire’s easternmost Roman bridge-dam, while scholars and physicians helped transform Gundeshapur into a center of learning for centuries.
Special Skill (Mazda Worshiper)
Increases siege machines’ attack and HP by 55% and ranged troops and siege machines’ defense by 40% when Shapur I is leading the army.
Ascend the general to upgrade red stars to activate the following buffs:
- 1 Star – siege machine defense and HP +15%
- 2 Star – attacking troop death into wounded rate +8%
- 3 Star – siege machine attack and HP +20%
- 4 Star – ranged troop and siege machine attack +15%; march size capacity +6%
- 5 Star – attacking siege machine attack +35%; attacking siege machine defense and HP +20%
Shapur I’s Maximum Specialty
- Siege Machine Assault: siege machine attack and HP +10%
- Bash: ranged troop and siege machine attack +10%
- Siege Machine Ares: siege machine attack, HP, and defense +10%
- Battle of Antioch: siege machine attack +55%; attacking siege machine defense and HP +40%
Covenant Info of Shapur I
Shapur I has a covenant with Trajan, Carus, and Septimius Severus. The corresponding covenant attributes are shown below.
- War Covenant: siege machine defense +10% (only effective for the general)
- Cooperation Covenant: siege machine training capacity +10% (takes effect unconditionally)
- Peace Covenant: reinforcing siege machine attack +10% (only effective for the general)
- Faith Covenant: attacking siege machine attack +10% (only effective for the general); in-rally siege machine HP +5% (takes effect unconditionally)
- Honor Covenant: siege machine attack +10% (only effective for the general)
- Civilization Covenant: siege machine HP +10% (only effective for the general); march size capacity +10% (only effective for the general)
The Paths to Unlock the Shapur I
Historic General Summoning
During the 2025 Thanksgiving event, the probability of summoning this general is greatly increased, and you are guaranteed to obtain the general within 6 summons.
The summoning requires Epic Historic General (Glory), which can be received from the 5th-tier Thanksgiving event package. You can use the triple or double coupon to purchase the package for more Epic Historic General (Glory).
Epic Historic General Premium Token
You can obtain this token directly, or you can synthesize it by acquiring corresponding fragments. 30 fragments can be combined to create a complete token. During the 2025 Thanksgiving event, you can obtain this token or fragments through the following methods.
- Limited Offer
- Journey to Glory Sale – Knight’s Tactics Sale pack
- Decoration Collection Package
- Imperial Optional Package
- Covenant Stone Package
- Gear Sale Arrives – Imperial Monarch Gear Package
- Military Tactics Package
- Legend Maker Package
- Champion’s Affection
- Officer Skill Book Package – Service
- Chronicle Summon (5 levels)
- Dragon Battle Epic Package
- Hecate’s Treasure – Lunar Flame Package
- Astral Oracle – Moon’s Blessing – Starlight Dawn & Boundless Starlight packages
- Alchemy Shop Super Sale
- Alliance Competition – Monarch Scores Rewards (Epic League & Legendary League)
- Grace of Star Trail – tier 3 gift sale pack & Starlit Shop redemption page
- Great Expedition – super package
- Wishful Windmill Festival – Wind Power Storage Lv50
- Braveheart – Nirvana Reborn pack
- Explore Sunken Temple – Super Undersea Exploration Sale
- World Boss – deal 20,000,000 & 150,000,000 damage to the current boss.
- Empire Depot – super supply packs
- Gem Purchase Event
- Soul of Spiritual Beast privilege Lv50
- VIP Premium Packages (≥V11）
Strength Comparison (Shapur I/Francis Drake/Hersilia)
We selected siege generals whose recent special skill is under the condition of “when leading the army,” and compiled all maximum buffs that would be effective in the attacking state. See the table below for details.
Shapur I | Francis Drake | Hersilia | |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Special Skill | Attack +55% Defense +40% HP +55% | Attack +55% Defense +40% HP +55% | Attack +55% Defense +55% HP +40% |
Ascended Attributes | Attack +70% Defense +35% HP +55% | Attack +60% Defense +65% HP +75% | Attack +75% Defense +65% HP +55% |
Max-level Specialties | Attack +85% Defense +50% HP +60% | Attack +75% Defense +60% HP +60% | Attack +80% Defense +50% HP +40% |
Max-level Covenant | Attack +20% Defense +10% HP +10% | Attack +15% Defense +10% HP +5% | Attack +20% Defense +5% HP +10% |
Skin Buffs | – | – | Attack +8% Defense +16% |
Total (Main) | Attack +230% Defense +135% HP +180% | Attack +205% Defense +175% HP +195% | Attack +238% Defense +191% HP +145% |
Total (Assistant) | Attack +160% Defense +100% HP +125% | Attack +145% Defense +110% HP +120% | Attack +163% Defense +126% HP +90% |
Based on the data comparison above, the following conclusions can be drawn:
If we disregard the ascendant buff, Shapur I provides good boosts to siege machine attack and HP, Hersilia provides the best boosts to siege machine attack and defense, and Francis Drake is in the middle in all three aspects.
If special skills and specialties are at their maximum level, Shapur I’s attack and HP boosts to siege machines fall between Drake and Hersilia, while its defense boost is the worst. Drake provides the worst attack boost, and Hersilia provides the worst HP boost; each of these three generals has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Recommended General Combinations
- Romulus + Shapur I
- Hersilla + Shapur I
- Kiso Yoshinaka + Shapur I
In addition, Shapur I can be paired with many siege generals, such as:
- Christina
- Stephen II
- Theobald I
- Maurice de Saxe
- Theodosius I
- Gunther
- Mu Guiying
- John Hunyadi
- Pallas
- Kleos
- Edward Teach
- Septimius Severus
- Zucca
However, some generals’ special skills conflict with him, including:
- Raimondo
- Champlain
- Francis Drake
Skill Books:
- Siege Machine Range Bonus
- Siege Machine HP
- Siege Machine Defense
- Siege Machine Attack
- March Size
- Ranged Troop Ranged Bonus
